ES-339 string recommendations

[huckster 9]

This 339 is my first venture into the electric world of six strings. I've been in the acoustic world for 30 yrs. +. I need some recommendations for strings. I plan to play some western, and blues type stuff. I can play around with different brands and gauges, but I need a starting place. thanks

[gampadoug 23]

I always use D'Addario XL Nickel Wound 10 gauge on my 335 and have used same on a 339 a had a couple of years ago. They give the best general all-around tone of all the strings I've tried. That would be the aforementioned and Gibson Bright-wires.

[JSW 1]

Pure Blues 10-46.

[merciful-evans 983]

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (10-46)

 

D'Addario: EXL110 (10-46) are about the same. Dont care for the packaging.

[FemmeParallell 111]

I use D'addarios 9s on my 339

[clayville 14]

Pure Blues 10-46.

 

+1 on DR Pure Blues

I find that the small bodied Gibson semi-hollow guitars can trend a little bit "bright" sounding and the DR's seem to be a little warmer sounding than, say, D'Adarrios on my CS-356 to my ear. But feel free to experiment in the coming weeks/months. Try different ones until you find one you like - strings are the cheapest mod there is (other than screwdriver adjustments to pickup height, which can also make a big difference on these).

[kaicho8888 34]

Hybrid .010-.052. Skinny top/Heavy bottom.

 

This feels similar to what we did in the old days before EB slinky.

[thornev 9]

Not specific to the 339, but I am loving the D'adarrio NYXL series. They seem to last longer and give a more robust sound. I believe they are made with titanium or some unusual metal or alloy hence they're rather expensive. I use .008's, but then I like a very low action on low frets and I have a soft touch with my fretting and strumming hands. I play a lot of solos so I like the easy bending of 8's. 

Thorne

Edited September 26, 2019 by thornev

[Mr. Natural 203]

Nickel round wounds, not flat wounds.

[Twang Gang 428]

Gibson Brite Wires are back on the market and probably would sound good for what you want to play.  Light guage are 10s, ultra light are the 9s.